Expert says firefighters subjected to harassment

SAN DIEGO COURTS 
An expert witness who investigates discrimination complaints testified yesterday that four San Diego firefighters were subjected to severe and pervasive sexual harassment when they drove an engine in a gay pride parade against their wishes.

Kevin Williams of San Francisco said the firefighters, who are suing the city of San Diego, shouldn't have been ordered to participate in the 2007 parade.

Williams also told the jury he has never seen a case as severe as this one. He said the lawsuit could have been avoided if fire department leaders had responded to concerns about the parade that other firefighters had raised earlier.

The department has had trouble finding volunteers to staff the engine assigned to the parade in Hillcrest.

Firefighters Alex Kane and Chad Allison and Capts. John Ghiotto and Jason Hewitt said they were subjected to catcalls and saw men touch each other inappropriately and simulate sex acts during the parade.

The four were ordered to participate – and paid for their time – after a crew that had volunteered pulled out.

This is the second time the firefighters have taken the city to court. In the first trial, the jury deadlocked.

Williams is billing the firefighters' attorney, Charles LiMandri, $28,000 for his testimony and his review of the firefighters' claim. Now self-employed, he worked for the San Francisco human rights commission from 1985 to 2004. Williams said he has investigated about 300 discrimination and harassment cases in 30 years.